johnson



r 5 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. K. JOHNSON 81; A. A. LOW.

(No Model.)

TYPE SETTING APPARATUS.

No ezzms.

Patented July 10, 1894.

flaizi isgj w Q\ 4% \.Q N M NfiN m w mm U m: N'onms men: ca. momumn.wnsumcnon n c (No Model.) I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. K: JofiNsoNaz A. A. LOW. TYPE SETTING APPARATUS.

No. 522,715. Patented July 10, 1894.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

LJK. JOHNSON & A; A. LOW. TYPE SETTING APPARATUS.

No. 522,715. Patented July 10,1894.

Fig.1

(No Model.) 5 Shets-Sheet 4. L. K. JOHNSON & A. A. LOW. TYPESETTING'APPARATUS. No. 522,715. Patented July 10, 1894.

w E E .E v QQ 6 R O N xi \I EVV/ /W/ZZQEE:

mssw.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS KOSSUTH JOHNSON AND ABBOT AUGUSTUS LOW, OF BROOKLYN, AS-

SIGNORS TO THE ALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-SETTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,715, dated July 10,1894.

Application filed February 17, 1894. Serial No. 500,548. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LOUIS KOSSUTH J OHN- SON and ABBOT AUGUSTUS Low,citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in thecounty of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Type-Setting Apparatus, of which the following isa description, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to whichthe invention appertains to make and use the same. a

Our improvements relate to the apparatus set forth in our application,Serial N 0. 492,664, filed December l, 1893, in which a plurality oftype containing channels, and a type forwarder common to all, arecombined and arranged with a type platform in front of the channels,said platform being formed with converging side walls by which thetypes, as they advance, are positively assembled together and sustainedlaterally with their front edges extending over the front edge of theplatform, in position to be grasped by the fingers of the compositor.

The objects ofv our present invention are to simplify the constructionof the apparatus; to combine it with a continuously moving device bymeans which throw the type forwarder into action only during the removalof the types last forwarded into position; to afford a type forwarderwhich raises the columns of types above the lowest typeinthe columnbefore the latter leaves the channel, and which, also during itsretractile movement, allows the column of type to descend gradually torest upon the type supporting platform; and to efiect a gradual contactand raising of the next lowest types by an inclined or wedge surface.

Our invention also includes certain minor features of constructionhereinafter set forth.

In our prior application hereinbefore referred to, the forwarding of thetypes is accomplished by hand; As the resistance of the weight of thecolumns of types has to be overcome in detaching and forwarding thelowest types upon the type platform, it is de- 'sirable that the hand ofthe operator be relieved of this labor, and that the types be forwardedby mechanical power. Our improvement in this respect consists inutilizing a rotary motion, which is continuous, for the purpose ofreciprocating the pusher intermittently,-that is to say, whenever themechanism is released by atinger push which is actuated by the hand ofthe compositor while grasping the types last forwarded into position forremoval.

By lifting the columns of types away from the lowest types during theforwarding of the latter, and before the heels of the latter have passedbeyond the type containing channels, we avoid injury to the faces of thetypes which would otherwise result from the con tact of the heels of thereceding types with the faces of those next immediately above.

Since the types are on their edges, and have to descend a distanceslightly greater than their width, as the type forwarder recedes, theirsudden descent for the whole distance is objectionable, and to obviatethis, we so form the forward portion of the pusher that the types fallfirst upon a step formed by re ducing the thickness of theforward end ofthe pusher. scent of the types into two steps of about equal height, andthereby prevent displacement and preserve the horizontal alignment ofthe type.

In the accompanying drawings we show practical means for carrying outour invention, although we do not wish to confine ourselves strictly tothe identical form and construction of parts, since it is obvious thatvarious modifications may be resorted to without deviating from theessential features of our invention.

Figure 1, is acentral vertical section upon plane of line '0, '1), Fig.9, showing certain of the parts in elevation. Fig. 2, is a view of theunder side of the mechanism for reciprocating the type pusher. Fig. 3,is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1,showing the parts in theposition which they assume just after the release of the pusheractuating mechanism, the forward end of the pusherhaving justencountered and started forward the types. Fig. 4, is a view of the lefthand side of the clutch mechanism, by which the rotary shaft is broughtinto play; Fig. 4:, a transverse section upon plane of line w, w, Fig.4. Fig. 5, is a sectional elevation showing the position By this meanswe divide the deof the parts during the forward stroke of the pusherwhen the latter has forwarded the lowest types a distance about equal toone half the Width of the type containing channels. Fig. 6, is asectional elevation showing the heels of the types as they leave thetype containing channels, the columns of type above being supported uponthe type forwarder. Fig. 7, is a sectional elevation showing theposition of the parts at the completion of the stroke of the typeforwarder. Fig. 8, is a sectional elevation showing the descent of thetypes to the step of reduced thickness which constitutes the forwardportion of the pusher. Fig. 9, is a plan of the mechanism, when in theposition shown in Fig. 1, the upper ends ofthe type containingchann'els'being shown in cross section, and the position of the typeslast forwarded being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 10, is a transversesection upon plane of line 00, 00, Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a transverse sectionupon plane of line y, 3 Fig. 13; Fig. 12, an isometrical perspective ofthe lower end of a type containing channel; Fig. 1;, a plan of thepusher; Fig. 14, an edge view of the pusher; Fig. 15, a transversesection upon plane of line .2, a, Fig. 9.

In the drawings A, represents stationary framework or supports ofsuitable construction. The type channel support A, consists of a socketpiece or holder of rectangular form, adapted to hold a plurality ofchannels, that shown in the drawings accommodating four type containingchannels 13, resting snugly against each other, and held or suspended inposition by shoulders 1), upon their spines, which shoulders I), restupon the upper edge of the socket A. The front of the socket piece A,and consequently the lower portions of the channels, is closed by a flatguard a.

a, is a type supporting shoulder, upon which the lowest typesin theseveral columns rest.

a a are the parallel walls, and a a the converging side walls describedin our prior application hereinbefore referred to; and the wholeoperation of forwarding, converging, centralizing and presenting thetypes is substantially the same as that disclosed in said application.

By reference to Figs. 13 and 14, it will be seen that the pusher 0,consists of a fiat plate formed with ribs 0, 0, upon its upper surface.The side walls of the channels extend down nearly to the level of theupper surface of the plate 0, the lower ends of their spines beingnotched as shown at b,'Fig. 12, to admit of the passage of the ribs 0,upon the pusher O.

The reciprocation of the pusher G, is effected through the medium of apitman D, pivotally connected to the rear end of the pusher at c, andtothe disk E, at d. This disk E, is mounted loosely upon the shaft F,which is rotated continuously, in the direction of the arrow, by anysuitable power. A spring ratchet G, is pivoted at g, to the side uponthe disk E, tends constantly to throw 7 the point 9 of the ratchet G,into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet H, and thereby to rotatethe disk E, with the shaft F. This tendency of the spring g, to maintainan engagement and rotation of the disk E, with the shaft F, iscounteracted normally by a stop '5, upon one end of the rock lever I,fulcrumed at z", to a stationary part of the frame. The other end ofthis rock lever I, is formed with a pin 4?, which engages a slot 70, inthe rear end of the push rod K.

" A spring L,'attached at one'end to the push rod K, and at the other toa stationary part of the apparatus, tends constantly to draw the pushrod forward until the stop 70, on the push rod rests against astationary part of the apparatus and so holds the rock lever I, in theposition shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7, in which position the shoulder 2',engages with the projecting end g of the pawl G, whenever the said end gcomes in contact therewith as shown "1n Figs. 1 and i. The forward endof'the pusher bar is formed with the finger bearing k by which the rodK, is pushed back by the fingers of the compositor, while grasping thetypes, against the resistance of the spring L.

The thickness of the pusher 0, when taken through the ribs 0, isslightly greater than the width of the types; and the forward ends ofthe ribs 0, are inclined forward as at 0 at an angle of forty-fivedegrees, or any other that may be found desirable; or if preferred thefront ends of the ribsmay be merged into the front platform or step 0 ofthe pusher O, by

, a gentle curve,the object of curving or inclining the front end 0 ofthe ribs 0, being to afford a gentle contact thereof with the heels ofthe types next above the types being forwarded. p

The operation is as follows: The compositor, desiring to withdraw thetypes indicated at T, grasps them between his thumb and finger, previousto withdrawing them-from the port P, at the front end of the typeplatform a. In doing this he necessarily presses back the finger bearing70 against the resistance of the spring L, until the rear of the fingerbearing 70 brings up against the front edge 19, of the type platform a,or against any other suitable stop or stationary part of the apparatus.The result of this is that the rear end of the push bar K, rocks therock lever I, backward so that its shoulder '5, is immediatelydis-engaged from the end g of the pawl G, upon the disk E, when thespring g',throws the point 9 of the pawl G, into engagement with theratchet H, and the disk E, starts to rotate with the shaft F.

As the compositor removes his fingers from the bearing k in the act ofwithdrawing the types T, which he does almost immediately ward thelowest types about half-way out of their channels the inclined surfaces0 encounter the heels of the next lowest types in the columns, and liftthe columns very slightly but sufficiently to raise and support thetypes from contact with the heels of the receding types as the latterleave the fronts of the type containing channels, as will be seen byreference to Fig. 6. At the completion of one-half of the revolution ofthe disk E, the forward stroke of the pusher O, is attained, the typesbeing forwarded into the position '1, Figs. 7 and 9, and the columns oftypes resting entirely upon the ribs 0.

During the retractile movement of the pusher effected by the rotation ofthe disk E, the type columns first descend from the ribs 0, to theplatform or step 0 and then from the latter to the type platform a. Indoing this they maintain substantially horizontal positions, the drop orfall being divided up, and all objectionable inclination of the typesthat would otherwise occur, owing to a drop equal to the greatestthickness of the pusher, is avoided. During the completion of arevolution of the disk E, the shoulder t", encounters the end 9 of thepawl G, rocks the said pawl G, over against the resistance of its springg, thereby dis-engaging the point 9 and locking the disk E, againstfurther revolution until again tripped by the action of the compositorin removing the types just forwarded.

It is obvious that the pawl and ratchet herein described may bedispensed with and a like result accomplished by the use of any otherwellknown releasing or clutching mechanism, the essential feature inthis respect being the employment of a device, actuated bya finger pushbar, which shall couple the constantly rotating power shaftF, with meansfor reciprocating the type pusher.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In apparatus for facilitating the setting of types by hand, thecombination of a plurality of type containing channels supported in acommon holder; a type platform below said channels common to all thetypes; and a reciprocating type forwarder consisting of a plate of lessthickness than the width of the types, said plate being formed with ribswhich increase the thickness of the plate beyond the width of a type,the front ends of the ribs being inclined substantially in the mannerand for the purpose described.

2. In apparatus for facilitating the setting of types by hand, thecombination of a pluralityof type containing channels supported in acommon holder; a type platform below said channels common to all thetypes; and a reciprocating type forwarder consisting of a plate of lessthickness than the width of the types, formed with ribs which increasethe thickness of the plate beyond the width of a type, said ribs havingtheir front edges 1nclined, and ending a suitable distance back of thefront edge of the pusher plate for the purpose and substantially in themanner described.

3. In apparatus forfacilitating the setting of types by hand, thecombination of a plurality of type containing channels supported in acommon holder; a type platform below said channels common to all thetypes; a'type forwarder, common to all the types, connected by a pitmanto a loose disk-crank on a constantly rotating power shaft; a springpawl and ratchet for connecting and disconnecting the said disk-crankand power shaft; and a finger push bar arranged to release the springpawl under the action of the compositors fingers while grasping thepreviously advanced types for removal, and to again automat cally engagethe spring pawl, substantially in the manner and for the purposedescribed.

LOUIS KOSSUTI-I JOHNSON. ABBOT AUGUSTUS LOX/V. Witnesses:

D. W. GARDNER, GEORGE WILLIAM MIATT.

